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STATISTICAL A.\i)l)l:SCKllTl\ 



POKM OF TKX^S. 



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V^ MN 13 1892 



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DALLAS. TKXAS: 

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ill llic OtliiT 111' till' Lihiii I'iaii of Ciiiiu'i-css at Wasliiii'^tnn. 



A SlATlsriC AL ^ I)I-SCRIPT1VH POHM OF THXAS. 

'Phis Poem was inspired from traveling- over the state. 

1 iieori)oratin^' statistics correctly to dale. 

b'or Texas has ■•cunie to the front" and now boldly stands 

Proclaiming her greatness and fertility of lands. 

The "Lone Star'' flag is majestically unfnrled 

And is gracefully waving kind greetings to the world, 

1 uviting capital and industry to come and partake 

< )f fruits dei-ived from what development can make. 
The representations of Texas are all quite true, 
(This poem does not t^ll of the old state but the new.) 

< )nce a hard country on "'women and oxen." twas said. 
But now "Texas on Wheels," fully attests what is read 

< )f the Southwestern Empire, her grandieur and beauty 
Made perfect, by the etilcient discharge of her duty. 

'fexas raises yearly one-fourth of the cotton made. 

For the farmers are expert with the plow, hoe and spade. 

Has some of the best sugar lands in the United States. 

Many railroads traversing the country, with low rates. 

Forty" mi 11 ion* acres of timber and much lumber 

And different kinds of wood almost without number: 

There's walnut, dogwood. inne,maple, liveoak, elm and gum 

Mesquite, bois'd arc, cedar, water oak, rose and plum. 

There are specimens of fire-clay, hydraulic, limestone. 

Lignite, vegetable marl, coal-ore and all her own. 

Waiting for capital and industry to combine 

And develop the natural resources so tine, 

To tell all about this mammoth Industrial State, 

Lt would take many volumes well written to relate. 



6 A PoKM OF tf:xas 

Half the public domain is dev^oted to schools that aiv t'l-ef . 

Deep harbors, five hundred miles of coast, beside the sea. 

One hundred and seventy-five million acres land. 

TwD hundred and fifteen organized counties, that's gi-aiid. 

Texas homestead law. allows her citizens to own 

Two hundred acres land and other thing-s well-known. 

Such as horses, oxen, sheep, goats, farm utensils, swine 

Household furnitnre. ]nnvate property and kine. 

'Tis a law whereby the poor can gain a little start. 

Which shows her legislators were men of kindly heart 

By industry and good management all may do well. 

Who ccmie to the beautiful Lone Star State to dwell. 

Good fellowship and generosity to all 

[s invariably practiced by the great and small. 

There are two 2)enitentiaries to ])unish the bad 
()ne ref(n-matory to restrain the lawless lad. 
Under the management and supervision of State 
Everything is done for the reform of the inmate. 
Prom north to south, Texas is seven hundred miles: 
Eight hundred east to west, is not written to beguile. 
But is what the noble commissioner reports true. 
In the statistics gathered, for people to review: 
There are various channels, if taken at the floodgate 
That leads to great success; with energy stimulate; 
But it requires good judgment to succeed and do well. 
That is why Texans accomplish grand deeds and excel: 
The peer of any state, Texas gracefully poses- 
Teeming with natural advantages and resources. 



A ['OEM OF TEXAS. 



Texas is a great x^lace to accumulate riches, 

■'lis an old saying: "one stitch in time saves nine stitches." 

In accepting the invitation to immigrate 

And realize the truthful assertion: she is a. state 

That is manufacturing cotton, wool and leather: 

And the immense stock of cattle anc^ horses together. 

Alongside the cotton bales and the free-school money. 

W'liich is §100. 000, ()()(): while bees and honey 

Are at every farmhouse — the bees from opening flowers. 

Imbibing sweets and improving the shining hours. 

In the orchards of Texas are found apple and plum; 

Peaches, pears, grapes, quinces, while in the garden, some 

Vegetables: consisting of the bean and cucumber. 

Onions, tomatoes, okra and pepper, without numbei-. 

It requires twt) persons en the farm to take in charge 

A hundred ])ound watermelon, so kiscious and large. 

Industrial Texas, raises both cotton and corn, 

W'heat. oats, rye and barley the broad fields richly adoi-n: 

The Panhandle shriel^s a loud blast of welcome to all. 

And invites enterprising prosi)ectors to call, 

Also talent, capital and labor, to come and invest 

In rich fertile lands, locate and grow up with the west. 

Tliere are preachers, teachers, public and private schools. 

Horses, sheep, swine, blooded stock and fine gentle mules. 

In fact, there is everything in Texas to-day. 

That bespeaks to the immigrant, this is the way: 

Makes her the grandest and most magnificent state. 

Offers homeseekers land at a liberal, low rate. 



A POEM OF TEXAS. 



Northwest Texas is a prairie, with horses and cattle. 
On the extreme north, tall, waving wheattields that rattle 
As winds murmurs cadences, among the growing wheat; 
The reaper and the thresher once a year the farmers greet. 
Thirty to sixty bushels of grain per acre is made; 
Then harvested in granaries, ready for the trade. 
In the east and central portion of this great empire 
Are snow-white fields of cotton; fenced in with barbwire. 
Farther south are the sugar farms that pay immensely; 
And east are the pineries, so thick and so densely, 
Where the sawmills are numerous that run night and day; 
Employ men to labor, and return them ample pay. 
Texas has seventy thousand acres of iron ore; 
Makes two millions bales cotton yearly and of times more. 

Sheep ranches in Texas are large and sheep fine grade; 

Fifty dollars fine and imprisonment, a law made 

For carrying concealed weapons; the laws are enforced; 

"Tis seldom that a husband and wife are divorced. 

Laws are rigid in the prosperous Lone Star State, 

She's out of debt with millions, and taxes the lowest ratn; 

Immigrants coming amid the corn, cotton and wheat. 

Will develop unparalleled success hard to beat. 

Mineral and agricultural advantages 

Always insure honest laboring men fair wages. 

And with the capitalist taking share in stock 

Will most assuredly her vast resources unlock. 

The farmers' home is a beautiful rural retreat, 

With comfortable dwellings and out-houses neat. 



^ roKM OF TEXAS. 



Of rivers there are many, the Rio Grande on the west. 

The Sabine tliat rushes into the Gulf with nuich zest. 

There are Neches. Trinity. Brazos. San Jacinto. 

Gaudalupe. San Saba. Pecos. Clear E^'ork, Colorado, 

Antocosa. Rease, San Marcus, Red. Navasota. 

And various others includins: the Wichita. 

Navidad, Trinidad. Bernard. Leon and Llano, 

Little River. Salt Fork. Canadian and Concho, 

To say nothing of the picturesque Double Mountain 

That gushes like the waters of "Lodore's"" mad fountain. 

On the plains are canons, almost impassible valleys; 

I'anon City is near and for the settlers rallies. 

Streams of living water How from the Canons here named: 

Both Palo Duro and Terra Blanco are much famed. 

There are some mountains, many rivers, creeks, branches, 
Trav^ersing Texas soil, but immense are her ranches. 
And the cowboy is captain over the vast, vast herd. 
He feasts on antelope, wild ducks, milk, butter and curd. 
Is a graduate. in all the slang phrases in use. 
He's a jolly go(^d fellow with his slang in a sluice; 
For merriment and good humor none can him surpass. 
He sings the same familiar song o'er and o'er; 'Sam Bass." 
Occasionally among the cowboys one will find 
Young men of rare intellectual culture of mind, 
That's quit the classic halls of learning to be cowboys. 
Inspired by the spirit of adventure and its joys. 
Thus the old trite copy •■Many men of many minds" 
Comes to remembrance -Many birds of many kinds." 



10 A ['OEM OF TKXAS. 

Texas has six hundred thousand children at school 

Daily attending and learning to obey the rule. 

They are noted for their studious application: 

For they see the great importance of filling any station. 

As years develop them into noble women and men 

Some will distinguish themselves by the arts and the pen. 

While the architects among them will be building domes. 

Others will till the fertile soil and have rural homes. 

And the tradesmen on the list will successfully trade. 

Some will be handling the hoe, some the trowel and spade: 

But in any event the most will be brave and bold, 

This great prognostication the future will unfold. 

The children of this state also attend Sunday-school 

Where they are taught biblical lore and the Golden Rule. 

There are twelve thousand teachers in the State of Texas. 
Most refined and enlightend scholars of both sexes. 
Quite faithfully they are battling for knowledges right 
Solving problems, instilling principles, throwing light 
On the sciences, examining and explaining. 
Patiently plodding along without complaining; 
Working earnestly hoping their efforts will be crowned 
With success, as pupils from graduating halls b(uind. 
To enter the arena, that's awaiting their debut. 
In society and business 'tis a sad adieu. 
Both to pujjil and teacher, for time alone can bring. 
Childhood, youth, manhood and old age. which all cling. 
Alas! the four seasons of this life are briefly passed: 
Time comes when i^upil and teacher are no longer classed. 



A I'OEM OF TEXAS. 



hi every city of note in Texas there is noise 
Made by the miniature business men, the newsboys: 
Here's thePo.s/! Here's the (kizettel Here's the Daify Nnr.sl 
Is sung out in childish voices early 'mid the dews; 
And late at night their cries are heard at public places 
Proclaiming: Here's the News; the latest from the racesi 
Newsboys are famous for energy; nor mind defeat 
(xenerally "get there" running or hobbling on both feet. 
They are emblems of perseverance, their motto's "Try," 
Not like • -Dickens' Fannie" for want of effort to die. 
And years to come will find them caj^able business men. 
Some excelling with the sword, some with the inky pen; 
They have learned by experience, how and what to do 
For they have traveled early and late the old road and new. 

The large cities have their dailies ably edited. 

They are the delight of the populace and are read 

By every one, hence the people are well informed, 

Know from Foster's predictions when they will be stormed. 

Kach city has a Fire and Military Co., 

When duty sounds the call they are waiting to go. 

There are secret orders. Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights 

The streets are lit in cities with electric lights, 

And the motor system adopted to run the cars 

Up and down the streets without any terrible jars. 

All the towns of prominence have cornet bands that ])lay 

Whenever they have a picnic or a gala day. 

Each county and town has its official journal, 

Well edited by some ex-mayor or colonel. 



12 A POEM OF TEXAS. 



The public institutions of Texas are endowed 

Most munificently for her good people are proud 

Of the asylums for orphans, the deaf, dumb and bl'.nd. 

Also for those suffering from alienation of mind. 

The denominational colleges and convents 

Are numerous with military drills for students. 

Georgetown and Tehuacana are famous for tine schools. 

Their universities are disciplined by modern rules 

And rank high as institutes of culture and learning. 

Their professors are men of lore and are discerning. 

Sherman has a conservatory that is complete 

With strains of excellent music, harmonious and sweet. 

There are commodious boarding houses and hotels, 

In all the cities, gas, waterworks and artesian wells. 

Texas has numerous railroads of vast dimensions. 

The International that's claiming much attention, 

M. K. & T., Henrietta, Denver, Santa Fe, 

Cotton Belt, Rock Island. San Antonio and T. P. 

Central, Aransas Pass, (better known as the Mission. ) 

All are prominent and occupy great position 

Through this great state, hither and thither, they tangle 

Each making good time, never pausing to wrangle; 

Besides these, there are other roads, branches and taps. 

Wliich can readily be seen laid down on Texas maps. 

Too much could not be written in praise of these net-lines 

That traverse Texas soil from the plains to the pines. 

The officials are accomodating and polite 

And attend to their duties with studious delight 



A POEM OF TEXAS. 13 

(Jalveston. Houston. Denison and San Antonio. 
Dallas. Fort Worth. Weatherford, Waco and El Paso. 
Besides many other places with great enterprise 
Are manufacturing, and cities of smaller size, 
With their rivers and numerous artesian wells 
See the vast importance of making- something that sells: 
So they have their plants busily running day and night. 
In fact Texas people do everything they think right 
To build up their country, cities, towns and railways. 
The reason is obvious, for they know that it pays. 
There is nothing "Small about Texas" or her Capitol. 
Even the sun shines brilliantly with rays from old Sol 
To bring up wild flowers and the beautiful grass 
That carpets the prairies with its soft verdant mass. 

Texline on the Denver and Midland on the T. P. 
Are prosperous towns and are "busy as a bee," 
Hartley, Smarilla, Ai-mstrong, Clarendon. Goodnight. 
Are fast growing i)laces with Childress reflecting light 
Over fine lands, such as pre-emption and school sections. 
Awaiting settlers to come and make choice selections. 
Texas has millions of acres of richest virgin soil. 
Prom its cheapness and variety none can recoil. 
(Colorado City is the great salt center known, 
While Stonewall county is a bud only half blown. 
But time will develop her minerals 'neath the ground 
For Geologist Dumble has explored and them found. 
Haskell City and her paper, the Free Press, is O. K. 
Her prosperity and rich soil demands a railway. 



14 A POEM OF TEXAS. 



The traveler will open the gates of El Paso. 

And enter Texas, and in his travels to and fro 

Will see superb improvements bespeaking great progi-f^ss; 

For El Paso "is in the swim" and will not grow less. 

She continues building and improving all the while. 

Her citizens are energetic and put on style. 

In fact, she is a staunch city and ranks very high 

The traveler in departing will assuredly sigh. 

Long will be remembered civilities extended 

To the Texas Press, as on their journey they wended 

And were in El Paso most royally entertained 

By her good people while the editors remained. 

After enjoying a delightful and pleasant stay 

The traveler will take the Texas Pacific Railway. 

North and West Texas have progressive towns in the lead 

Where the great "Iron Horse" rushes with lirey speed. 

They are Coleman. Brownwood, Balinger. San Angelo. 

Sweetwater, Colorado City, Big Springs and more. 

While the Panhandle villas, post offices, beside 

Stage stands, country stores, ranches are strongly allied 

To cordially invite honest immigration 

To the largest state in this enterprising nation. 

The land for the thrifty, where many may find a home. 

O'er the vast prairies antelope and wild deer roam. 

Healthy breezes waft sweet perfume from gay wild flowers. 

Planted and cultivated by the Higher Powers. 

Water is in abundant quantities under the ground, 

While rivers, creeks, lakes, springs and brooks abound. 



A POKM or TK.XAS. 15 

Al)ilene. Taylor County, is the ••Pride of the West." 

All her citizens enterprises are of the best. 

At the Fort Worth Spring Palace, and Dallas Fair too; 

Medals were awarded her exhibits, as their due. 

l<]ach year she is adding many laurels to the old. 

I'ommandino^ admiration from the brave and bold: 

By steady improvement of the Progressive Committee. 

Abilene ranks foremost as a prominent city. 

Her newspaper men. the Reporter and News editors. 

Are deserving of piaise as the worthy creditors 

( )f laboring in behalf of stately Abilene. 

To increase her advantages with patriotic mien. 

They are reaping the harvest sown with wonderful zest. 

V\n' the Abilene country is the • "Pride of the West." 

Thirty miles from Abilene and the T. P. Railway. 

Is the interesting town of Anson not at play; 

She is the pretty county seat of progressive Jones. 

And invites the actual settler in heartiest tones. 

Her population is one thousand and still growing. 

The Anson high school on education is bestowing 

Every facility as an incentive to learn 

.\nd the efficient teachers very proudly earn 

The name of being great educators of high type. 

The Texas Western is a paper that's always ripe 

For any enterprise beneficial to Anson. 

While prohibition is the greatest victory won. [clerks. 

There are preachers, doctors, lawyers, merchants, bankers. 

And county officials, working for Anson like -Turks." 



16 A r'OEM OF TKXA^. 

At Baird som ^tirae.> a District fair is celebrated: 
Where farmers display their products to be rated. 
There the home-seeker can see that 'tis within his reach 
To cultivate and feast upon apples, grajies and peach. 
She bids him a hearty welcome within her domains. 
Where the yeoman can reap from the soil ample iirains.. 
Cis3o. Albany, each have adv^antages that are g-reat. 
Such towns reflect credit on this enterprising" state. 
Seymour. Quanah. Henrietta, Archer City, invite 
The immigrant to enter their cities with delight. 
Wichita Palls offers many inducements rare 
To those who wish to come, locate and abide there. 
The prosperous towns of (Traham.Longview and Koclcwai I 
S.)lic-it capital and labor to give them a call. 

Gainesville. Whitesboro. Denis(ra. Sherman, Honey Gi'ove 
Welcome the traveler if within bechance to rove; 
While pleasing to the eye is thriving Texarkana. 
Jefferson. Marshal. Mineola. Corsicana, 
Terrell. Hillsborough, Waxahachie. Palestine. 
Are developing into cities of wonderous mien. 
Tyler. Brenham. Bastrop, Paris, Navisota, 
Are extending inviting hands to every voter. 
Victoria. Bonham. Llano, Brownsville. Rockport. 
Corpus Christi. Indianola. Burnet, '"Hold the Port." 
Laredo. Texas. Eagle Pass. Del Rio, are all 
Rustling and hustling, while Pecos City rolls the ball. 
The far famed Pecos Valley wants more laborers to toil 
And open up farms amid her rich fertile soil. 



A POEM OF TEXAS. 17 



Dublin. Erath county, is sailing: in clover; 

With si)irited energy she is bubbling over. 

The Dublin Investment Company is doing good 

For Dublin's rapid growth is perfectly understood. 

She is fast apjDroaching the expected day of bliss. 

"When she will wear long dresses and cease being amiss." 

Commanchie. Hamilton. Grandbury. are in the row. 

Lampasas is a summer resort where many go; 

Her healthy waters cure the bodily infirm 

And the ph-asant breezes expell all poisonous germ. 

The hotels are first-class and great credit they reflect. 

And the amusements provided in every respect 

Are refined, elevating and delightful to see, 

As all who visit Lampasas heartily agree. 

Gattsville. McG regor, Belton. Taylor, Georgetown. Temple. 

Are noted shipping points for the white fleecy staple. 

Cameron. Rockdale and other growing lively towns 

Possess many advantages which truly resound 

To the glory of this thriving Industrial Empire. 

Her citizens with patriotic ambition aspire 

To elevate their station, be it humble or grand. 

The Farmer's Alliance and Grange, lead the noble band. 

Their official organs are friends in time of need 

And are laboring for those causes nobly indeed. 

The Farmer s World, published in Dallas, it is said 

Is a powerful paper, greatly beloved and read. 

Texas Farmer battles for the Grange and tries to do 

Its duty and is unexcelled for principles true. 



18 A POEM OP TEXAS. 



[n every portion of this growing commonwealth 
Are prosperous towns, noted for morals and good health. 
Jewet, Ennis, Hubbard City, Groesbeck and Mexia, 
Marlin, Cleburn, Morgan, Meridian, are most fair. 
Beeville. Mason. Hempstead, Hearn. Bellville. Caldwell. 
Trinity, Seguin. Gonzales, are pleasant places to dwell. 
Crocket. Calvert, Kossee, Victoria, Lavaca. Hallettsville. 
Big Sandy. Sulphur Springs, New Braunfels, Madisonville. 
Carthage, Flatonia, Henderson, La Grange, Shulensburg, 
Rusk, Menardville, Orange, Athens and Fredericksburg, 
Denton, Decatur, McKinney, Greenville, Wolfe City, 
Are singing to the immigrant a welcoming ditty. 
These towns have handsome churches and schools to rec- 
With polished society and amusements to blend, [ommend 

Beaumont is widely known for extensive lumber piles. 

Which extend along the Neches river many miles. 

Sabine, Aransas Pass, are valiantly in the ring 

And to the idea of Deep Water do they fondly cling. 

In Huntsville the remains of Sam Houston lies sleeping. 

But the reward of his efforts Texas is reaping. 

The brave Hero of San Jacinto will ne'er be forgot; 

For his memory is sacred and sanctifies the spot. 

The famous A. M. College at Bryan is located; 

This great institute is pleasantly situated. 

New Birmingham has vast quantities'of iron ore. 

Enough to supply the United States and many more 

With pig iron for gigantic furnaces to mold [told." 

In the Queen of Sheba's language ' 'The half has not been 



\ POEM OF TEXAS. 19 

lirazos being- interpreted me^ins the Arm of God. 
So called by a Jesuite Priest who on her banks trod; 
She is a river that empties in the Gulf stream, 
Velasco at her mouth gives a long vocific scream 
And Heralds the news of deep, deep, water on her bar 
She victoriously shouts the glad tidings near and far; 
So Velasco will soon be a city of repute 
This assertion no one can truthfully dispute. 
Texas has much over nine thousand miles of railway. 
Is developing a giant in strength every day; 
Has eleven thousand miles of telegraphic lines 
Permeating the state with inexhaustible mines 
Of coal and mountains of iron and mineral wealth, 
Her pure bracing breezes are conducive to health. 

On the Colorado's banks Austin is situated. 
This beautiful city could not be overrated. 
She's Texas" Capitol and destined to be 
A manufacturing city of great degree. 
Here the mammoth state building the Capitol is found 
It towers upward several hundred feet from the ground. 
"Tis the seventh largest structure that'sbuilt on the earth. 
Three million acres of land is its estimated worth. 
Within its walls the governor and efficient corps 
Beside, as also the legislators, men of lore 
Enact laws for the two and half million populace. 
Which show in plain figures Texas has a growing race. 
The Press of Austin bear a world renowned learned name 
That does honor to the Lone Star's well merited fame. 



20 A POEM OF TKXAS. 

Waco on the Brazos river is known far and near. 

She's an active city that labors without fear. 

The business men do not recognize the word Pail. 

They are manufacturing for home use and wholesale. 

In the Central city there are sixteen geyser wells 

Sending out volumes of hot water which plainly tells 

That she is a desirable location for all. 

Those who wish to manufacture can give her a call. 

Baylor University and the Female College. 

Are disseminating pure principles with knowledge-. 

The teachers employed are full of ability: 

Both schools possess every musical facility. 

Her newspaper men are a witty, brainy, lot. 

Who know what to do for Waco's good just to a df)t. 

Port Worth is Texas' most progressive railroad centei-: ■ 

Prom north, south, east. west, by rail the traveler can enter. 

She has one hundred artesian wells overilowing. 

And is prosperous while ra])idly she is growing. 

Many new additions have been laid out into plots 

And the land agents readily find sale for the lots. • 

Her business buildings are magnificent and superb: 

Also the residences are beautiful in suburb. 

Port Worth is the destined Chicago of this grand state. 

She has every railway facility for freight. 

Her schools, colleges and universities rank high 

And the brewery purchases the Panhandle rye. 

Great is the noble valiant paper The Gazette. 

Whose faithful labor of love Port Worth will ne'er forget. 



A POEM OF TEXAS. 21 



The traveler enters Dallas with feelings of civic pride 
To view so grand a city. The fact is ne'er denied 
That her population is quite forty thousand strong. 
Of enterprising people who constitute this throng. 
She manufactures largely, wholesales for Texan's need. 
Enjoys various religions of most holy creed. 
This great Metro])olis of Texas has numerous schools. 
That educate their students and drill them to their rules. 
Many papers are issued in this prosperous place. 
Too large the number to reiterate, for want of space. 
Edited by men of intellect and ample brain, 
Who labor with energy for Dallas, might and main. 
The Dallas Daily News is a glowing morning star. 
Whose brilliant lustre is shed in Texas and afar. 

The city of of San Antonio is of great renown. 
She is famous as a beautiful and thriving town. 
The grand old "Alamo" bears a never-dying name 
Of grandieur. coupled with Texas' historical fame. 
She is noted for handsome public structures and banks. 
As an educational center she highly ranks. 
San Antonio has various avenues of wealth, 
The climate is salubrious and warrants good health. 
The population is "sixty thousand" mayhap more. 
For immigration is constantly opening her door. 
San Antonio lays claim, and to the public presents. 
Fashions, libraries, recreations and amusements. 
The editors of her Newspapers are men of nerve. 
From their duty and obligations they never swerve. 



22 A P(1KM OK TEXAS 

Houston on Buffalo Bayou, is a place of note, 
Persons who visit her. ever remember and dote 
On the beauty of her buildings, so select and rare, 
She is an active city and is fast "getting there." 
Her business men are energetic and so polite. 
They welcome new citizens to Houston with delight. 
Houston is the home of "'Uncle Daniel'" of The Age, 
To express it simply this old man's quite a sage. 
The great Houston Post is published in Bayou City. 
It is eminent for good logic and is witty. 
Houston has fine school facilities and for the size 
Manufactures extensively with great enterprise. 
Her population is in the thousands very high, 
When a visitor leaves Houston it is with a sigh. 

Galveston on the bay is a most delightful place; 

For deep water she has made an especial race. 

Six millions has been appropriated [so they say] 

By congress to make deep water in Galveston bay. 

Her importing and exporting interest is large; 

It is now big tonnage; no longer small boats or barge. 

She is a commercial city of great importance 

For her merchants and business men are way in advance. 

Her citizens are enterprising without a boast, 

A-nd are aware that they have the best town on the coast. 

Where the oyster abounds, fish, shrimp, crab and turtle. 

And the parks adorned with orange blossoms and myrtle. 

And the sea-baths are fine; so are boat rides on the bay. 

There the porpoise and schools of fish are in a big play. 



A roEM OF TEXAS. 23 

(riilvestou's population is very larj^e indeed. 
Tis no wonder that many go there with steamboat speed. 
The Committee on Invitation are so polite, 
('ourteously do they treat all whom they invite. 
And '/'//(' Gdlrvsfon News, ••The Old Lady by the sea. "" 
Graciously sways her queenly sceptre most royally. 
The horticulturist raises flowers rich and rare 
While the fragrance of rose and violet perfume the air. 
Oleanders, magnolias and the bright green bay tree. 
Wave aloft their branches, as the traveler nears the lea. 
The climate is delightful and extremely mild 
Occasionally a norther whistles fierce and wild 
To destroy malaria, then everything is still 
And the soft gentle zephyrs resume their play at will. 

Now this poem is ended so writes the Poetess, 

Lf she has seemingly praised some towns and others less 

It was not intentional to give any offense 

Having confined the poem to facts and not pretense. 

In this true statistical and descriptive account 

She has scrupulously estimated the amount, 

Ky placing Texas in the Scales of Justice and the Truth: 

Weighed and not found wanting in area, beauty or youth. 

For Texas is larger than England or Seven States. 

And enormously rich in ore according to dates 

Taken from the geological records on file, 

With state pride the Poetess lowers the scale with a smile. 

The • -Truth is Mighty and will prevail is indeed true. 

The Poetess now bids her readers a pleasant adieu. 




020 994 032*2 



